Clothing treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a clothing treatment apparatus. The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a tub; a drum extending in a cylindrical shape, capable of being opened upward, and rotatably disposed in the tub; a balancer fixed to an upper portion the drum, extending along a circumference of the drum, and providing a channel communicating with an inner space of the drum; and a chamber formed inside the balancer and extending along the balancer. The chamber includes a first chamber forming a lower portion of the chamber, and a second chamber forming an upper portion of the chamber. A width of the first chamber is greater than a width of the second chamber.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus.

Related Art

In general, a clothing treatment apparatus is a concept including anapparatus for washing clothing (an object to wash, an object to dry), anapparatus for drying clothing, and an apparatus for performing bothwashing and drying of clothing.

Recently, in order to wash and/or dry a large amount of objects at atime, the capacity of a tub and a drum is increasing in a clothingtreatment apparatus.

If a small amount of object is processed using general clothingtreatment apparatus, water and power consumption may be wasted.

Accordingly, a clothing treatment apparatus having smaller size andcapacity than those of a general clothing treatment apparatus has beendeveloped.

Such a relatively small-sized clothing treatment apparatus may bedesigned to have an equal or similar width and a smaller height comparedto the general clothing treatment apparatus, and may be positioned on orunderneath the general clothing treatment apparatus.

The relatively small-sized clothing treatment apparatus has a limitationin height of a cabinet for convenience of use and a limitation in widthsimilarly to the general clothing treatment apparatus.

Due to the limitations in the size of the cabinet, when the capacity ofthe tub and the drum is too small, a small-sized clothing treatmentapparatus may be significantly less effective.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure aims to solve the above and other problems.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatmentapparatus capable of maximizing the volume of the drum.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatmentapparatus capable of maximizing the volume of the tub.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatmentapparatus capable of maximizing the volume of a tub and a drumpositioned inside a cabinet and/or drawer whose width is set to begreater than a height.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatmentapparatus capable of easily controlling vibration of a tub and a drum.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatmentapparatus capable of minimizing a risk of damage to a drain pipe and aheating part provided at a bottom surface of a tub while maximizing thevolume of the tub.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aclothing treatment apparatus including: a tub; a drum rotatably disposedin the tub; a balancer; and a chamber formed inside the balancer.

The tub may extend in a cylindrical shape. The tub may extend in acylindrical shape having a diameter greater than a length.

The tub may include a tub body extending in a cylindrical shape. The tubbody may extend in a cylindrical shape having a diameter greater than alength. The tub body may be opened upward.

The tub may include a cover forming an upper surface of the tub, and anextension extending downward from an edge of the cover. The extensionmay be coupled to an upper portion of the tub body.

The drum may extend in a cylindrical shape. The drum may be openedupward. The drum may have a diameter greater than a length (height)thereof.

The balancer may be fixed to an upper portion of the drum. The balancermay extend along a circumference of the drum. The balancer may have aring shape. The balancer may provide a channel communicating with aninner space of the drum.

The balancer may reduce eccentricity of the drum. The balancer mayreduce vibration of the tub due to rotation of the drum.

A liquid may be accommodated in the chamber. Alternatively, a solid maybe accommodated in the chamber.

The chamber may include a first chamber forming a lower portion of thechamber and a second chamber forming an upper portion of the chamber.

A width of the first chamber may be greater than a width of the secondchamber.

A width of the first chamber and a width of the second chamber may bedefined in a radial direction of the drum.

The balancer may extend upward past an upper end of the drum. A lowerend of the balancer may be positioned below an upper end of the drum. Anupper end of the balancer may be positioned above the upper end of thedrum.

A lower end of the first chamber may be positioned below the upper endof the drum. An upper end of the second chamber may be positioned abovethe upper end of the drum.

The drum may include a rim protruding from an upper end of acircumferential surface of the drum toward a center of rotation of thedrum. The rim may extend along the circumference of the drum. The rimmay extend in a circumferential direction of the drum. The rim mayprovide an opening for the drum.

The drum may include a support part protruding from an innercircumferential surface of the drum. The support part may extend alongthe circumference of the drum. The support part may extend in thecircumferential direction of the drum. The support part may be spaceddownward from the rim.

The balancer may include a fixing part inserted between the rim and thesupport part of the drum. The fixing part may protrude from an outersurface of the balancer facing the inner circumferential surface of thedrum.

The balancer may further include a fastening groove into which thesupport part of the drum is to be inserted. The fastening groove may berecessed at a lower end of the fixing part.

The chamber may be provided with a bottom surface. The bottom surface ofthe chamber may be positioned below an upper end of the fasteninggroove.

The balancer may include a first housing forming a lower exterior of thebalancer. The first housing may provide the first chamber. The firstchamber may be formed inside the first housing.

The balancer may include a second housing forming an upper exterior ofthe balancer. The second housing may provide the second chamber. Thesecond chamber may be formed inside the second housing.

An upper end of the first housing and a lower end of the second housingmay be connected to each other. The first chamber and the second chambermay be connected.

The first housing and the second housing may be coupled by thermalfusion.

In a radial direction of the drum, a thickness of the second housing maybe greater than a thickness of the first housing.

An outer surface of the second housing facing the circumferentialsurface of the tub may be positioned on an outer side than an outersurface of the first housing. The outer surface of the first housing maybe positioned on an inner side in the radial direction of the drum thanthe outer circumferential surface of the drum.

The first and second housings may each include an inner wall providingthe channel, and an outer wall spaced apart outward from the inner wall.The chamber may be positioned between inner and outer walls of the firstand second housings.

A thickness of the inner wall of the first housing may be smaller than athickness of the inner wall of the second housing. A thickness of theouter wall of the first housing may be smaller than a thickness of theouter wall of the second housing.

The inner walls of the first and second housings may include an outersurface facing the center of rotation of the drum, and an inner surfacefacing the chamber. The outer walls of the first and second housings mayinclude an outer surface facing a circumferential surface of the tub,and an inner surface facing the chamber.

The outer surface of the inner wall of the first housing and the outersurface of the inner wall of the second housing may be aligned with eachother, or the outer surface of the inner wall of the second housing maybe closer to the center of rotation of the drum than the outer surfaceof the inner wall of the first housing.

The inner surface of the inner wall of the first housing and the innersurface of the inner wall of the second housing may be aligned with eachother, or the inner surface of the inner wall of the first housing maybe closer to at the center of rotation of the drum than the innersurface of the inner wall of the second housing.

The inner surface of the outer wall of the first housing and the innersurface of the outer wall of the second housing may be aligned with eachother, or the inner surface of the outer wall of the second housing maybe closer to the center of rotation of the drum than the inner surfaceof the outer wall of the first housing.

The outer surface of the outer wall of the second housing may be locatedon an outer side in a radial direction of the drum than the outersurface of the outer wall of the first housing. In the radial directionof the drum, the outer surface of the outer wall of the second housingmay be positioned between the outer surface of the outer wall of thefirst housing and the outer circumferential surface of the drum.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a cabinet. The tubmay be disposed in the cabinet.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a drawer disposedin the cabinet. The tub may be disposed in the drawer. The cabinet mayhave an outlet at a front. The drawer may be provided to be withdrawnfrom the cabinet through the outlet.

A clothing treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure may include: a tub including a tub body having a cylindricaltub body to provide a space for storing water, and a tub cover formingan upper surface of the tub body; a cylindrical drum body rotatablyprovided inside the tub to provide a space for storing clothing andhaving an open upper surface; a first housing provided in a ring shapeand fixed to an upper surface of the drum body; a second housingprovided in a ring shape and fixed to an upper surface of the firsthousing; a first passage having a ring shape and formed in such a mannerin which an upper surface of the first housing is provided as a groovebent concavely in a direction away from the tub cover to provide a spacefor storing a liquid; and a second passage coupled to the first passageto form a circulation passage of the liquid and formed in such a mannerin which a bottom surface of the second housing is provided as a groovebent concavely toward the tub cover. A width of the first passage may beset to be wider than a width of the second passage.

A thickness of the first housing in a radial direction of the drum bodymay be set to be smaller than a thickness of the second housing in theradial direction of the drum body.

A point facing the circumferential surface of the tub body in both sidesurfaces of a lower end of the second passage and a point facing thecircumferential surface of the tub body in both side surfaces of anupper end of the first passage may be connected so as not to form astep, and a point facing the center of the drum body in the both sidesurfaces of the lower end of the second passage and a point facing thecenter of the drum body in the both side surfaces of the upper end ofthe first passage may be connected so as to form a step.

point on both sides of the lower end of the second passage facing thecircumferential surface of the tub body and a point on both sides of theupper end of the first passage facing the circumferential surface of thetub body are connected to form a step, and both sides of the lower endof the second passage A point facing the center of the drum body and apoint facing the center of the drum body among both upper end surfacesof the first passage may be connected so as not to form a stepdifference.

A point on both sides of the lower end of the second passage facing thecircumferential surface of the tub body and a point on both sides of theupper end of the first passage facing the circumferential surface of thetub body are connected to form a step, and both sides of the lower endof the second passage A point facing the center of the drum body and apoint facing the center of the drum body among both upper end surfacesof the first passage may be connected to form a step difference.

A length of the second passage with respect to the height direction ofthe drum body may be equal to a length of the first passage with respectto the height direction of the drum body or may be set to be greaterthan the length of the first passage.

A height of the first housing may be set to be greater than a height ofthe second housing, and a center of gravity of the balancer may be setto a point located inside the first passage.

A height of the bottom surface of the circulation passage may be set tobe lower than a height of an upper end of the drum body.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a plurality ofanti-slip walls protruding from a surface facing the tub body toward acenter of rotation of the drum body in an internal space of thecirculation passage.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include: a first partitionwall provided in the first housing to divide the inside of the firstpassage into two spaces; and a second partition wall provided in thesecond housing to divide the inside of the second passage into twospaces and coupled to a free end of the first partition to divide theinside of the circulation passage into a first chamber and a secondchamber.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include: a fixed bodyprotruding from a circumferential surface of the first housing tocontact the circumferential surface of the drum body and fixing thefirst housing to the circumferential surface of the drum body; abalancer support part protruding from the circumferential surface of thedrum body toward the center of the drum body; and a fastening grooveformed at a circumferential surface of the fixed body and a corner of abottom surface of the fixed body in a space provided by the fixed body,thereby providing a space for accommodating at least a portion of thebalancer support part.

The balancer support part may have a semicircular or arc-shapedcross-section, and the fastening groove may be provided to accommodatean area above a horizontal line passing through the center of thebalancer support part in the area of the balancer support part.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include: a cabinet havingan outlet at a front surface; and a drawer provided to be drawn out fromthe cabinet to provide a space in which the tub is accommodated.

A clothing treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure may include: a cabinet; a tub having a cylindrical tub bodyprovided inside the cabinet to provide a space for storing water, and atub cover forming an upper surface of the tub body; a cylindrical drumbody rotatably provided inside the tub to provide a space for storingclothing and having an open upper surface; a first housing provided in aring shape and fixed to an upper surface of the drum body; a secondhousing provided in a ring shape and fixed to an upper surface of thefirst housing; a first passage provided in a ring shape and formed insuch a manner in which an upper surface of the first housing is providedas a groove bent concavely in a direction away from the tub cover toprovide a space for storing a liquid; a second passage coupled to thefirst passage to form a circulation passage of the liquid and formed insuch a manner in which a bottom surface of the second housing isprovided in a ring shape with a groove bent concavely toward the tubcover; a second cabinet provided to support a bottom surface of thecabinet; and a second drum provided inside the second cabinet to providea space for storing clothing. A width of the first passage may be set tobe wider than a width of the second passage.

A clothing treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure may include a tub, a chamber, and a chamber drain pipeconnected to the chamber.

The chamber may be formed to protrude from a bottom surface of the tub.

The chamber drain pipe may extend from a side surface of the chamber ina direction away from the center of the tub.

The clothing treatment apparatus may include a cabinet, a tub, a drum,and a driving part.

The tub may be provided inside the cabinet to provide a space forstoring water, and may have a cylindrical shape with a width set to begreater than a height.

The drum may be rotatably provided inside the tub.

The driving part may be fixed to the bottom surface of the tub,positioned located outside the tub, and able to rotate the drum.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a drain pipe forguiding water discharged through the chamber drain pipe to the outsideof the cabinet.

The chamber drain pipe may be coupled to one end of the drain pipe fromthe outside of the cylinder extending the outer circumferential surfaceof the tub and thus coupled thereto.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a drawer formed inthe cabinet to be withdrawable and accommodating the tub therein.

The chamber drain pipe may extend in a direction inclined to a directionin which the drawer is withdrawn out from the cabinet.

The clothing treatment apparatus may further include a heater forheating water in the tub. The heater may be accommodated in the chamber.

The chamber may include a heating chamber accommodating the heater, anda water collecting chamber protruding from a bottom surface of theheating chamber toward a bottom surface of the cabinet to form a spacein which water is stored.

The chamber drain pipe may extend in a direction away from the center ofthe tub from a side surface of the water collecting chamber.

A side surface and/or a bottom surface of the water collecting chambermay be inclined downward toward the chamber drain pipe.

The bottom surface of the tub may include a first bottom surface formedin the center of the tub, a second bottom surface formed outside the tubthan the first bottom surface and located below the first bottomsurface, and an inclined surface formed to be inclined downward from thefirst bottom surface toward the second bottom surface.

The driving part may be located below the first bottom surface.

The chamber may be formed to be spaced apart from the driving part andprotrude from the second bottom surface to a bottom surface of thecabinet.

A height of a lowest point of the chamber drain pipe may be equal to aheight of a lowest point of the driving part or higher than the heightof the lowest point of the driving part with respect to the bottomsurface of the cabinet.

A height of a lowest point of the chamber drain pipe may be equal to aheight of a lowest point of the chamber or lower than the height of thelowest point of the driving part with respect to the bottom surface ofthe cabinet.

The height of the lowest point of the chamber drain pipe may be equal tothe height of the lowest point of the driving part or higher than theheight of the lowest point of the driving part with respect to thebottom surface of the cabinet.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure,it is possible to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable ofmaximizing the volume of a tub.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure,it is possible to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable ofmaximizing the volume of a drum.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure,it is possible to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable ofmaximizing the volume of a tub and a drum positioned inside a drawerwhose width is set to be greater than a height.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure,it is possible to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable ofeasily controlling vibration of a tub and a drum.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure,it is possible to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable ofminimizing a risk of damage to a drain pipe and a heating part providedat a bottom surface of a tub while maximizing the volume of the tub.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the following detailed description. However, it should beunderstood that the detailed description and specific embodiments suchas preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given by way ofexample only, since various changes and modifications within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure can be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views showing a clothing treatment apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3 to 4 show an example of a balancer.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show an example of a heating part and a drain part.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the referencenumerals, the same or similar components are assigned the same referencenumerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the followingdescription are given or mixed in consideration of only the ease ofwriting the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles bythemselves.

In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the presentspecification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of relatedknown technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed inthis specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Inaddition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding ofthe embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and thetechnical spirit disclosed in the present specification is not limitedby the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, should be understood to includeequivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be usedto describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by theterms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishingone component from another.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” toanother component, it may be directly connected or connected to theother component, but it is understood that other components may exist inbetween. When a component is referred to as being “directly connected”or “directly accessed” to other component, it should be understood thatthere is no component therebetween.

The singular expression includes the plural expression unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in a clothing treatment apparatus 100 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 1 havingan outlet 111 on a front surface 11 thereof, and a drawer 2 drawablefrom the cabinet 1 through the outlet 111.

A tub 3 (see FIG. 2 ) to be described later may be provided inside thedrawer to provide a space for storing water.

A drum 4 (see FIG. 2 ) to be described later may be rotatably providedinside the tub.

The drawer 2 may include a drawer body 21, a drawer cover 23 forming anupper surface of the drawer body, and a drawer panel 25 fixed to thedrawer body 21. can

The drawer body 21 may be provided in a hexahedral shape having an openupper surface. The drawer cover 23 may be fixed to an upper end of thedrawer body 23 to form an upper surface of the drawer 2.

The drawer panel 25 may be a means (cabinet door) for opening andclosing the outlet 111. The drawer panel 25 may be a means (handle) forfacilitating withdrawal of the drawer body 21 from the cabinet 1 orinsertion of the drawer body 21 into the cabinet 1.

A control panel 251 for controlling the operation of the clothingtreatment apparatus 100 may be provided at an upper surface of thedrawer panel 25. The control panel 251 may be a means for receiving acontrol command required for operation of the clothing treatmentapparatus from a user. For example, the control panel may be a means (awater supply part, a draining part) for receiving from a user a controlcommand required for operation of a means for supplying or drainingwater to or from the tub 3, a means for rotating the drum 4 (drivingpart), or the like. For example, the control panel 251 may be providedwith an input part for allowing the user to input a control command tothe clothing processing apparatus, and a display part for notifying theuser of confirmation of the control command input through the input partor execution of the control command input by the user.

The drawer cover 23 may be provided with an inlet 231 passing throughthe drawer cover 23 and communicating with the inside of the drawer body21. The drawer cover 23 may be provided with a cover through-hole 233passing through the drawer cover 23 and having a water supply pipe 51(see FIG. 2 ), which will be described later, inserted thereinto.

The cabinet 1 may have a length in a width direction (Y-axis direction)longer than a length in a height direction (Z-axis direction) (whichmeans that the length in the width direction of the drawer may be longerthan the length in the height direction).

Accordingly, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be positionedbelow or above another treatment apparatus capable of washing or dryingclothing.

Accordingly, it may be easy for a user to access the control panel 251and the inlet 231.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the clothing treatment apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may include a tub 3. The tub 3 mayextend in a cylindrical shape. The tub 3 may have a diameter greaterthan a length (height) thereof. The tub 3 may provide a space in whichwater is stored. The tub 3 may be disposed in the drawer 2.

The tub 3 may include a tub body 31 extending in a cylindrical shapehaving a diameter greater than a length. The tub body 31 may be openedupward.

The tub 3 may include a cover 33 a forming an upper surface of the tub3. The tub 3 may include an extension 33 b extending downward from anedge of the cover 33 a. The extension 33 b may be coupled to an upperportion of the tub body 31. A tub cover 33 may be referred to asincluding the cover 33 a and the extension 33 b. Hereinafter, the cover33 a may be also referred to as a cover body 33 a. Hereinafter, theextension 33 b may be also referred to as an extension body 33 b.

The tub body 31 may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an openupper surface. A width of the drawer body 21 may be set to be greaterthan a height of the drawer body, and a width of the tub body 31 may beset to be greater than a height of the tub body.

The tub body 31 may be supported inside the drawer body 21 through a tubsupport part 37. The tub support part 37 may include a first bracket 371protruding from the drawer body 21 toward a circumferential surface ofthe tub body 21, a second bracket 373 protruding from thecircumferential surface of the tub body 31 toward a side surface of thedrawer body and provided at a lower position than that of the firstbracket 371, and a support bar 375 having one end (an upper end)connected to the first bracket 371 and the other end (a lower end)connected to the second bracket 373.

The support bar 375 may be connected to the first bracket 371 through afirst connecting portion 377, and may be connected to the second bracket373 through the second connecting portion 378. The first connectingportion 377 may be provided such that one end is supported by the firstbracket 371 and the other end passes through the first bracketthrough-hole 372 to thereby pass through the first bracket 371. Thesecond connecting portion 378 may be provided such that one end supportsthe second bracket 373 and the other end passes through the secondbracket through-hole 374 to thereby pass through the second bracket 373.The support bar 375 may be provided as a bar passing through the firstconnecting portion 377 and the second connecting portion 378.

An elastic body 379 may be further provided between an upper end of thesupport bar 375 and the first connecting portion 377 and between a lowerend of the support bar 375 and the second connecting portion 378. Theelastic body 379 may be provided as a pad formed of rubber or the like.Using the elastic body, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may dampvibration of the tub body 31.

The tub support part 37 having the above-described structure may beprovided in a plurality of units, which are spaced apart from each otherat the same angle with reference to a vertical line passing through thecenter of the tub body 21.

The tub cover 33 may include a cover body 33 a positioned below theinlet 231. The tub cover 33 may include an extension body 33 b bent fromthe circumferential surface of the cover body toward a top of the tubbody 31.

Accordingly, it is possible to increase a height and a capacity of thetub 3.

Accordingly, it is possible to increase the height and capacity of thetub 3 without changing the design of an existing tub body 31.

The cover body 33 a may be provided with a tub inlet 331 and a watersupply port 333 for communicating an inner space of the tub body 31 withthe outside. The tub inlet 331 may be provided to be opened and closedby a door 39 that is rotatably coupled to the cover body 33 a. The door39 may be positioned below the inlet 231. The door 39 may be rotated ina direction to open the tub inlet 331 when the drawer is withdrawn fromthe cabinet. One end of the water supply pipe 51 to be described latermay be fixed to the water supply port 333.

The extension body 33 b may be fixed to an upper end of the tub body 31.The extension body 33 b may be fixed to the upper end of the tub body 31with a cover fastening portion 35.

The cover fastening part 35 may include a first fastening portion 351provided at a free end of the extension body 33 b to provide a space inwhich the top of the tub body 31 is accommodated, and a second fasteningportion 353 provided at the circumferential surface of the tub body 31and coupled to the first fastening portion 351.

The tub 3 is supplied with water through a water supply part. The watersupply part may include the water supply pipe 51 connecting the watersupply port 333 and a water supply source located outside the cabinet,and a water supply valve 53 for regulating opening and closing of thewater supply pipe in accordance with a control signal from a controller.

Water stored in the tub 3 may be discharged to the outside of thecabinet 1 through a drain part. The drain part may include a first drainpipe 61 connecting a bottom surface of the tub body 31 and a drain pump63, and a second drain pipe 65 guiding water discharged from the drainpump 63 to the outside of the cabinet 1. A cabinet through-hole 131through which the second drain pipe 65 passes may be provided at a rearsurface of the cabinet.

The drum 4 may be rotatably provided inside the tub 3. The drum 4 mayextend in a cylindrical shape. The drum 4 may have a diameter greaterthan a length (height) thereof. The drum 4 may be opened upward. Thedrum 4 may provide a space in which clothing are stored.

The drum 4 may include a drum body 41 that provides a space in which theclothing are stored. The drum body 41 may be provided in a cylindricalshape with an open upper surface or a cylindrical shape having athrough-hole formed in an upper surface.

A plurality of communication holes 43 for communicating the inside ofthe drum body 41 with the inside of the tub 3 may be provided in atleast one of a circumferential surface and a bottom surface of the drumbody 41.

The above-described drum body 41 is rotated by a driving part. Thedriving part may be fixed to a bottom surface of the tub 3 from theoutside of the tub 3.

The driving part may include a stator 471 fixed to the bottom surface ofthe tub body 31 and positioned outside the tub 3, a rotor 473 rotated bya rotating magnetic field provided by the stator 471, and a rotationalshaft 475 connecting the drum body 41 and the rotor 473 through thebottom surface of the tub body 31. As shown in the drawings, therotational shaft 475 may be provided to form a right angle with respectto the inlet 231 (to form a right angle with respect to the bottomsurface of the tub body).

A balancer 8 may be provided at an upper end of the drum body 41. Thebalancer 8 may damp vibration generated in the drum body at the event ofrotation of the drum body 41.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the balancer 8 may be fixed to the drum 4. Thebalancer 8 may be fixed to an upper portion of the drum 4. The balancer8 may extend along a circumference of the drum 4. The balancer 8 mayextend in a circumferential direction of the drum 4. The balancer 8 maybe fixed to an upper portion of the drum body 41 to be rotatedintegrally with the drum 4, and may extend along the circumference ofthe drum 4. That is, it can be seen that the balancer 8 forms the upperportion of the drum 4.

Accordingly, it is possible to increase a height and a capacity of thedrum 4.

Accordingly, it is possible to increase the height and the capacity ofthe drum 4 without changing the design of an existing drum body 41.

The balancer 8 may include a housing 81 and 83 fixed to the drum body 41to form an upper surface of the drum body, and a housing through-hole 85passing through the housing. The housing through-hole 85 passing throughthe housing 81 and 83 may mean that the housing 81 and 83 has a ringshape.

A circulation passage 87 provided in a ring shape inside the housing toform a movement path of liquid may be included. Liquid may be stored inthe circulation passage 87. Hereinafter, the circulation passage 87 isalso referred to as a chamber 87.

Since the housing through-hole 85 is positioned below the tub inlet 331,clothing fed through the tub inlet 331 moves into the drum body 41through the housing through-hole 85. Accordingly, the housingthrough-hole 85 serves as a drum inlet. Hereinafter, the housingthrough-hole 85 may be also referred to as a channel 85.

The housing may include a first housing 81 provided in a ring shape, anda second housing 83 provided in a ring shape and fixed to an uppersurface of the first housing 81. An upper end of the first housing 81and an upper end of the second housing 83 may be coupled by thermalfusion.

The balancer 8 may further include a fixed body 811 provided at acircumferential surface of the first housing 81 to fix the first housing81 to the circumferential surface of the drum body 41.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a lower end of the first housing 81 may beinserted into the drum body 41, and an upper end of the first housing 81may be exposed to the outside of the drum body 41.

The fixed body 811 may protrude in a ring shape from one surface of thefirst housing 81 (a side surface of the first housing) facing thecircumferential surface of the drum body 41 toward the circumferentialsurface of the drum body 41. That is, a diameter of the fixed body 811may be set to be greater than a diameter of a lower end of the firsthousing 81 (a diameter of the fixed body may be set to be equal to adiameter of an opening in an upper surface of the drum body 41, and adiameter of a lower end of the first housing may be set to be smallerthan a diameter of the fixed body).

The first housing 81 may be provided with a ring-shaped first passage871 in which an upper surface of the first housing is depressed toward adirection away from the cover body 33 a. The second housing 82 mayinclude a ring-shaped second passage 873 in which a bottom surface ofthe second housing 83 is recessed toward the cover body 33 a. Thecirculation passage 87 may be formed by connecting the first passage 871and the second passage 873 to each other. Hereinafter, the first passage871 may be also referred to as a first chamber 871. Hereinafter, thesecond passage 872 may be also referred to as a second chamber 873.

In the balancer 8 having the above-described structure, an amount ofliquid moving along the circulation passage may vary according to avolume of the circulation passage 87. When the same liquid is used, alarger volume of the circulation passage 87 is more advantageous inreducing the eccentricity and vibration of the drum 4. In addition, if aheight of the housing 81 and 83 is increased to increase the volume ofthe circulation passage 87, a length of the drum body 41 will beincreased, thereby bringing the effect of increasing the volume of thedrum body 41 (which is the effect of increasing a capacity of treatingclothing).

Meanwhile, the above-described effect can be expected by increasing theheight of the housings 81 and 83 and the volume of the circulationpassage, but when a height of the center of gravity G of the balancer 8is increased, the upper portion of the drum 4 and the upper portion ofthe tub 3 may vibrate more greatly. When the height of the center ofgravity G of the balancer 8 is increased, a distance between a lower endof the tub support part 37 and the center of gravity G is increased(which means that a distance between a support point formed by the tubsupport part and the center of gravity of the entire drum is increased).This means that a distance (a length of the moment arm) perpendicular toa force acting on the center of gravity G from the lower end of the tubsupport part 37 (a force generated when liquid moves along the inside ofthe circulation passage) is increased, and the increased length of themoment arm means the upper end of the tub 3 possibly becomes to vibratemore greatly.

A width W1 of the first passage 871 may be wider than a width W2 of thesecond passage 873. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the heightof the center of gravity G of the balancer while increasing the volumeof the circulation passage and the height of the housing.

Making the width W1 of the first passage wider than the width W2 of thesecond passage may be implemented in various ways. For example, as shownin FIG. 4 , by setting a thickness T1 of the first housing with respectto a radial direction of the drum body 41 to be smaller than a thicknessT2 of the second housing with respect to the radial direction of thedrum body 41, the width W2 of the second passage may be designed to bewider than the width W1 of the first passage. That is, in FIG. 4 , bysetting the thickness T1 of both side walls of the first housing 81forming the first passage 871 to be smaller than the thickness T2 ofboth side walls of the second housing 83 forming the second passage 873,the width W2 of the second passage may be wider than the width W1 of thefirst passage.

In this case, a point facing the circumferential surface of the tub body31 in both side surfaces of a lower end of the second passage 83 and apoint facing the circumferential surface of the tub body 31 in both sidesurfaces of an upper end of the first passage 81 may be connected so asnot to form a step, and a point facing the center of the drum body 41 inthe both side surfaces of the lower end of the second passage 83 and apoint facing the center of the drum body in the both side surfaces ofthe upper end of the first passage 81 may be connected so as to form astep.

Or, a point facing the circumferential surface of the tub body in bothside surfaces of a lower end of the second passage and a point facingthe circumferential surface of the tub body in both side surfaces of anupper end of the first passage may be connected so as not to form astep, and a point facing the center of the drum body in the both sidesurfaces of the lower end of the second passage and a point facing thecenter of the drum body in the both side surfaces of the upper end ofthe first passage may be connected so as to form a step.

Or, as shown in an enlarged view shown in a lower right side of FIG. 4 ,the both side surfaces of the lower end of the second passage 83 and theboth side surfaces of the upper end of the first passage 81 may beconnected so as to form a step.

A height of a bottom surface B of the circulation passage 87 (a heightof a bottom surface of the first passage) may be set to be lower than aheight of an upper end of the drum body 41. Accordingly, it is possibleto move the height of the center of gravity G of the balancer downward.

In addition, a width of the circulation passage 87 may be set to beshorter than a height of the circulation passage (a length of thecirculation passage parallel to a height direction of the drum body).Accordingly, it is possible to increase the volume of the circulationpassage 87 without reducing the volume of the drum 4.

As shown in the drawings, the center of gravity G of the balancer may beset to be located inside the first passage 871. A height of the firsthousing 81 may be set to be longer than a height of the second housing83.

Unlike the drawings, a length of the second passage 83 with respect tothe height direction of the drum body 41 may be equal to a length of thefirst passage 41 with respect to the height direction of the drum body41 or may be set to be greater than the length of the first passage 41.This is to minimize the design change required for manufacturing thebalancer 8 (a change in the structure of a mold for manufacturing thehousing and a change in the structure of the drum).

When the drum body 41 is rotated at a high rotational speed (arotational speed causing a centrifugal force of 1G or more), it ispreferable that the liquid not move along the circulation passage unlessthe vibration of the drum body exceeds a preset reference vibration.This is because, if the liquid moves inside the circulation passagewhile rotating at the rotational speed in which centrifugal forcegreater than gravity 1G is induced in a radial direction of the drumbody, vibration according to the movement of the liquid may occur in thedrum body 41.

A plurality of anti-slip walls may be provided in the circulationpassage 87. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid frommoving along the circulation passage while the drum body 41 is rotatedat a high speed.

As shown in FIG. 3 , one ends of the anti-slip walls 88 may be fixed toan outer circumferential surface of the circulation passage 87 (asurface facing the circumferential surface of the tub body), and freeends thereof may be provided as boards protruding toward an innercircumferential surface of the circulation passage 87 (a surface facingthe center of the drum body). The free ends of the anti-slip walls 88may not contact the inner circumferential surface of the circulationpassage 87. When the drum body 41 is rotated at a low speed or when thedrum body 41 is rotated eccentrically, the liquid may move along thecirculation passage.

The anti-slip walls 88 may be provided as a plurality of boards spacedapart from each other at the same angle with respect to the center ofthe housing through-hole 85.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the circulation passage 87 may be divided into twochambers C1 and C2 by a partition wall 89. The liquid may be stored inan outer chamber C1 and an inner chamber C2, individually.

The partition wall 89 may include a first partition wall 891 provided inthe first housing 81 to divide the inside of the first passage 871 intotwo spaces, and a second partition wall 893 provided in the secondhousing 83 to divide the inside of the second passage 873 into twospaces. In this case, a free end of the first partition wall 891 and afree end of the second partition wall 893 may be coupled to each otherby thermal fusion.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the drum 4 may include a balancer support part 45protruding from the circumferential surface of the drum body 41 towardthe center of the drum body. The balancer 8 may include a fasteninggroove 813 formed as a concavely bent groove by the circumferentialsurface of the first housing 81 to form a space in which the balancersupport part 45 is accommodated.

The fastening groove 813 may be formed in a circumferential surface ofthe fixed body and a corner of a bottom surface of the fixed body in thespace provided by the fixed body 811 to thereby accommodate at least aportion of the balancer support part 45.

The balancer support part 45 may extend along a circumference of thedrum 4 and may have a semicircular or arc-shaped cross-section. Thefastening groove 813 may be provided to accommodate an area above ahorizontal line passing through the center of the balancer support part45 in the area of the balancer support part 45 When the fastening groove813 is provided in the fixed body 811, there is an effect that theheight of the center of gravity G of the balancer can be furtherlowered. The circulation passage 87 shown in FIG. 6 may also be dividedinto the outer chamber C1 and the inner chamber C2 by the partition wall89.

A heating part 7 for heating water inside the tub 3 may be furtherprovided at the bottom surface of the tub body 31 to wash clothing withwater at a temperature higher than room temperature.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the heating part 7 may be accommodated in a tubchamber 71 and 73 protruding from the bottom surface of the tub towardthe bottom surface of the cabinet.

The heating part 7 may include a heater 72 for heating water in the tub,and a chamber drain pipe 75 connected to the tub chamber 71 and 73.

The tub chamber 71 and 73 may be formed in the shape of a grooveprotruding from the bottom surface of the tub body 31 (which is a grooveprotruding from the bottom surface of the tub body toward the bottomsurface of the cabinet, or a groove protruding from the bottom surfaceof the tub body toward the bottom surface of the drawer body).

The bottom surface of the tub body 31 may be inclined toward the tubchamber 71 and 73 so that water remaining at the bottom of the tub body31 is able to move to the tub chamber 71 and 73.

The tub chamber 71 and 73 may include a heating chamber 71 foraccommodating the heater 72 therein, and a water collecting chamber 73protruding from the heating chamber 71 from the bottom surface of theheating chamber 71 toward the bottom surface of the cabinet 1 to storewater.

Referring to FIG. 7 (a), the water collecting chamber 73 may be providedas a space for storing water as a bottom surface of the heating chamber71 protrudes toward the bottom surface of the drawer body 21 or thebottom surface of the cabinet 1.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be in the form of a pipe passing through aside surface of the water collecting chamber 73. The chamber drain pipe75 may be a pipe extending from a side surface of the water collectingchamber 73 in a radial direction of the tub body 31. The chamber drainpipe 75 may be a pipe extending in a direction away from thecircumferential surface of the tub body 31 from a side surface of thewater collecting chamber 73 (−X-axis direction).

Accordingly, it is possible to maximize the volume of the tub 3 and thedrum 2.

Meanwhile, unlike the drawings, when the chamber drain pipe 75 isprovided at the bottom surface of the water collection chamber 73, thefirst drain pipe 61 fixed to the chamber drain pipe 75 may be located ata bottom surface of the drawer body 21 or in a space between the bottomsurface of the cabinet 1 and the chamber drain pipe 75.

In this state, when vibration occurs in the tub body 31 due to rotationof the drum body 41, the chamber drain pipe 75 and the first drain pipe61 may be possibly damaged due to friction with the bottom surface ofthe drawer body 21 or the bottom surface of the cabinet 1.

When the chamber drain pipe 75 is provided at a side surface of thewater collecting chamber 73, it is possible to minimize damage to thechamber drain pipe 75 at the event of vibration of the tub body 31. Thatis, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), when the chamber drain pipe 75 is providedas a pipe extending in a direction away from the center of the tub, theabove-described risk may be minimized.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to one end of the first drainpipe 61. The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to the first drainpipe 61 in such a way of being inserted into one end of the first drainpipe 61.

One end of the first drain pipe 61 may be fixed to the chamber drainpipe 75, and the other end thereof may be connected to the drain pump63. The drain pump 63 may be fixed to the same position as that of thechamber drain pipe 75 or at a lower position than that of the chamberdrain pipe 75.

When the chamber drain pipe 75 is provided as a pipe extending in adirection away from the center of the tub 3 from a side surface of thechamber 71 and 73, it is possible to prevent damage to the first drainpipe 61 at the event of vibration of the tub body 31.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be positioned between the bottom surfaceof the tub 3 and a lowest point of the driving part. The chamber drainpipe 75 may be located between the bottom surface of the tub 3 and alowest point of the rotor. A height of a lowest point of the chamberdrain pipe 75 may be equal to a height of a lowest point of the rotor473 or may be higher than the height of the lowest point of the rotor473 (see FIG. 2 ).

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage to the chamber drain pipe75 at the event of vibration of the tub body 31.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7A, the height of the lowest point of thechamber drain pipe 75 may be lower than a height of a lowest point ofthe water collecting chamber 73.

A side and/or bottom surface of the water collecting chamber 73 may beinclined downward toward the chamber drain pipe 75, and a bottom surface77 (a first inclined surface) of the heating chamber 71 may be inclineddownward toward the water collecting chamber 73.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize residual water in the heatingchamber 71 and the water collecting chamber 73.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to one end of the first drainpipe 61 outside a virtual cylinder that extends an outer circumferentialsurface of the tub body 31.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may have one end coupled to a side surface ofthe water collecting chamber 73, and the other end thereof may be a freeend.

A distance H1 from a side surface of the water collecting chamber 73 tothe free end of the chamber drain pipe 75 may be greater than a distanceH2 from a side surface of the water collecting chamber 73 to thecircumferential surface of the tub body 31.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to the first drain pipe 61 at aposition further outside than an outer circumferential surface of thetub body 31 with reference to the center of the tub body 31.

Accordingly, a position where the chamber drain pipe 75 and the firstdrain pipe 61 are coupled may be located outside the outercircumferential surface of the tub, thereby maximizing the volume of thetub 3 and the drum 2.

Referring to FIGS. 7(b) and 8, the heating part 7 may further include aguide 76 protruding from a bottom surface of the water collectingchamber 73 to form a passage for guiding water to the chamber drain pipe75.

Referring to FIG. 7 (b), a lowest point of the guide 76 (a lowest pointin a bottom surface of the guide) may be located at a position lowerthan a lowest point of the water collecting chamber 73 with reference tothe bottom surface of the cabinet 1 or the bottom surface of the drawer2. A lowest point of the chamber drain pipe 75 (a lowest point in abottom surface of the chamber drain pipe) may be lower than a lowestpoint of the guide 76 with reference to the bottom surface of thecabinet 1 or the bottom surface of the drawer 2.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an amount of water remaining inthe water collection chamber 73.

A bottom surface of the guide 76 may be inclined downward toward thechamber drain pipe 75.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a cross-section of the guide 76 may be provided ina semicircle or arc shape.

A surface 78 (a side surface of the water collecting chamber) connectingthe bottom surface 77 of the heating chamber 71 and the bottom surfaceof the water collecting chamber 73 may be inclined further toward thechamber drain pipe 75 in a direction from the bottom surface 77 of theheating chamber 71 to the bottom surface of the water collecting chamber73.

As the lowest point of the chamber drain pipe 75 is closer to the bottomsurface of the drawer 2 or the bottom surface of the cabinet 1, thechamber drain pipe 75 and the first drain pipe 61 may be more likelydamaged at the event of vibration of the tub body 31. In order toincrease the height of the lowest point of the chamber drain pipe 75, acenter 751 of the chamber drain pipe 75 may be located at a positionhigher than the bottom surface of the water collecting chamber 73.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 , the chamber drain pipe 75 may extend ina direction ((−X-axis and +Y-axis directions) that is inclined to adirection in which the drawer 2 is to be withdrawn out from the cabinet1 (+X-axis direction). The chamber drain pipe 75 may extend from a sidesurface of the chamber 71 and 73 in a direction away from the center ofthe tub 3, and may extend near a corner area where the side surface andthe rear surface of the drawer 2 meet.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may extend in a direction in which the secondbracket 373 protrudes. The chamber drain pipe 75 may extend from a sidesurface of the chamber 71 and 73 in a direction away from the center ofthe tub 3, and in a direction in which the second bracket 373 protrudesfrom the outer circumferential surface of the tub body 31 toward a sidesurface and/or rear surface of the drawer body.

Accordingly, as the chamber drain pipe 75 extends to or near an edge ofthe cabinet 1 or drawer 2, it is possible to minimize a volume of thetub 3 from being reduced by the chamber drain pipe 75 and to maximizethe volume of the tub 3 and the drum 2.

A driving part mounting groove 311 protruding toward the tub cover 33may be further provided at the bottom surface of the tub body 31.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the driving part may be located inside the drivingpart mounting groove 311. The stator 471 and the rotor 473 may belocated inside the driving part mounting groove 311. In this case, thelowest point of the chamber drain pipe 75 may be located between thelowest point of the rotor 473 and the bottom surface of the tub body 31.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the bottom surface of the tub body 31 may include afirst bottom surface 312, a second bottom surface 314, and an inclinedsurface 313. The driving part mounting groove 311 may be formed by thefirst bottom surface 312, the inclined surface 313, and the secondbottom surface 314.

The first bottom surface 312 may be formed in the center of the tub body31. The first bottom surface 312 may be formed in an area within apredetermined distance from the center of the tub body 31.

The second bottom surface 314 may be formed on an outer side than thefirst bottom surface 312 with respect to the center of the tub body 31.The second bottom surface 314 may be located below the first bottomsurface 312. The second bottom surface 314 may be positioned lower thanthe first bottom surface 312 with respect to the bottom surface of thecabinet 1 or the bottom surface of the drawer 2.

The inclined surface 313 may be formed to be inclined downward from thefirst bottom surface 312 to the second bottom surface 314.

The driving part may be located below the first bottom surface 312. Thestator 471 and the rotor 473 may be located below the first bottomsurface 312.

The chambers 71 and 73 may be spaced apart from the driving part andprotrude from the second bottom surface 314 toward the bottom surface ofthe cabinet 1 or the bottom surface of the drawer 2.

With reference to the first bottom surface 312, the second bottomsurface 314 and the chambers 71 and 73 are located at a lower position,thereby minimizing a reduction in the volume of the tub 3 so as tosecure a space for the installation of the heating part 7 and maximizingthe volume of the tub 3 and the drum 2.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the heating part 7 may not include the watercollecting chamber 73.

Referring to FIG. 10 (a), the heating part 7 may include a heatingchamber 71 protruding from the bottom surface of the tub body 31 to forma space in which the heater 72 is accommodated, and a chamber drain pipe75 connected to the heating chamber 71.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may include the chamber drain pipe 75extending from a side surface of the heating chamber 71 in a radialdirection of the tub body 31 to discharge the water stored in theheating chamber 71.

Accordingly, it is possible to maximize the volume of the tub 3 and thedrum 2.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be located between the bottom surface ofthe tub body 31 and a lowest point of the rotor 473. A lowest point ofthe chamber drain pipe 75 may be lower than a lowest point of theheating chamber 71. The bottom surface 77 of the heating chamber 71 maybe inclined downward toward the chamber drain pipe 75.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an amount of residual water inthe heating chamber 71.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to one end of the first drainpipe 61 outside a virtual cylinder that extends an outer circumferentialsurface of the tub body 31.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may have one end coupled to a side surface ofthe heating chamber 71, and the other end thereof may be a free end.

A distance from the side surface of the heating chamber 71 to the freeend of the chamber drain pipe 75 may be greater than a distance from theside surface of the heating chamber 71 to the circumferential surface ofthe tub body 31.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be coupled to the first drain pipe 61 at aposition further outside than an outer circumferential surface of thetub body 31 with reference to the center of the tub body 31.

Accordingly, a position where the chamber drain pipe 75 and the firstdrain pipe 61 are coupled may be located outside the outercircumferential surface of the tub, thereby maximizing the volume of thetub 3 and the drum 2.

Referring to FIG. 10 (b), a guide 76 may be provided at the bottomsurface of the heating chamber 71. The guide 76 may be provided as apassage that protrudes from the bottom surface 77 of the heating chambertoward the bottom surface of the cabinet 1 or the bottom surface of thedrawer 2 to guide water to the chamber drain pipe 75. A lowest point ofthe chamber drain pipe 75 may be lower than a lowest point of the guide76.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an amount of water remaining inthe heating chamber 71.

The chamber drain pipe 75 may be located between the bottom surface ofthe tub 3 and a lowest point of the rotor 473. A height of the lowestpoint of the chamber drain pipe 75 may be equal to a height of thelowest point of the rotor 473, or may be higher than the height of thelowest point of the rotor 473.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage to the chamber drain pipe75 at the event of vibration of the tub body 31.

Although a case where the heating part 7 and the balancer 8 are appliedto the clothing treatment apparatus 100 in which the tub is provided inthe drawer 2 withdrawable out from the cabinet 1 has been described, theheating part 7 and the balancer 8 may be applied to apparatuses otherthan the drawer-type clothing treatment apparatus.

That is, the heating part 7 and the balancer 8 may be applied to a toploading type clothing treatment apparatus that includes a cabinet, a tubfixed through a tub support part inside the cabinet, and a drumrotatably provided in the tub.

In addition, the heating part 7 and the balancer 8 may be applied to aclothing treatment apparatus fixed to an upper surface of a washingmachine or an upper surface of a dryer. In this case, the drawer 2provided in the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be omitted. Thatis, the cabinet 1 of the clothing treatment apparatus may be fixed to anupper surface of a cabinet (second cabinet) of the washing machine ordryer, the tub 3 may be connected to the inside of the cabinet 1 throughthe tub support part 37, and a through hole may be provided in the uppersurface of the cabinet 1 to expose the door 39 to the outside of thecabinet 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 , a clothing treatment apparatus according toan aspect of the present disclosure includes a tub; a drum extending ina cylindrical shape, capable of being opened upward, and rotatablydisposed in the tub, and fixed to an upper portion of the drum; abalancer extending along a circumference of the drum and providing achannel communicating with an inner space of the drum; and a chamberformed inside the balancer and extending along the balancer. The chambermay include a first chamber forming a lower portion of the chamber and asecond chamber forming an upper portion of the chamber. A width of thefirst chamber may be greater than a width of the second chamber.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the balancer mayextend upwardly past an upper end of the drum.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the drum mayfurther include a rim protruding from an upper end of a circumferentialsurface of the drum toward a center of rotation of the drum andproviding an opening of the drum, and a support part protruding from aninner circumferential surface of the drum and extending along acircumference of the drum. The balancer may further include a fixingpart protruding from an outer surface facing the inner circumferentialsurface of the drum and inserted between the rim and the support part ofthe drum.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the balancer mayfurther include a fastening groove recessed from a lower end of thefixing part into which the support part of the drum is to be inserted.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the chamber mayhave a bottom surface positioned below an upper end of the fasteninggroove.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the balancer mayinclude: a first housing defining a lower exterior of the balancer andproviding the first chamber; and a second housing forming an upperexterior of the balancer, providing the second chamber, and fixed to anupper portion of the first housing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a thickness ofthe second housing in a radial direction of the drum may be greater thana thickness of the first housing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the balancer mayfurther include a fixing part protruding from an outer surface of thefirst housing facing an inner circumferential surface of the drum andfixed to the inner circumferential surface of the drum. An outer surfaceof the second housing facing the circumferential surface of the tub maybe positioned on an outer side than an outer surface of the firsthousing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the tub mayinclude: a tub body extending in a cylindrical shape having a diametergreater than a length and able to be opened upward; a cover forming anupper surface of the tub; and an extension extending downward from anedge of the cover and coupled to an upper portion of the tub body.

The clothing treatment apparatus according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure may further include a cabinet having an outlet at thefront, and a drawer provided to be withdrawable from the cabinet throughthe outlet and providing a space for accommodating the tub.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure describedabove are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or allelements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may becombined with another or combined with each other in configuration orfunction).

For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of thedisclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in anotherembodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with eachother. Namely, although the combination between the configurations isnot directly described, the combination is possible except in the casewhere it is described that the combination is impossible.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the scope of the principles of thisdisclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications arepossible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a tub;a drum extending in a cylindrical shape, capable of being opened upward,and rotatably disposed in the tub; a balancer fixed to an upper portionthe drum, extending along a circumference of the drum, and providing achannel communicating with an inner space of the drum; and a chamberformed inside the balancer and extending along the balancer, wherein thechamber comprises a first chamber forming a lower portion of thechamber; and a second chamber forming an upper portion of the chamber,and wherein a width of the first chamber is greater than a width of thesecond chamber.
 2. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe balancer extends upwardly past an upper end of the drum.
 3. Theclothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drum furthercomprises: a rim protruding from an upper end of a circumferentialsurface of the drum toward a center of rotation of the drum andproviding an opening of the drum; and a support part protruding from aninner circumferential surface of the drum and extending along thecircumference of the drum, and wherein the balancer further comprises afixing part protruding from an outer surface facing the innercircumferential surface of the drum and inserted between the rim and thesupport part of the drum.
 4. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim3, wherein the balancer further comprises a fastening groove recessedfrom a lower end of the fixing part into which the support part of thedrum is inserted.
 5. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 4,wherein the chamber has a bottom surface positioned below an upper endof the fastening groove.
 6. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 1,wherein the balancer further comprises: a first housing forming a lowerexterior of the balancer and providing the first chamber; and a secondhousing forming an upper exterior of the balancer, providing the secondchamber, and fixed to an upper portion of the first housing.
 7. Theclothing treatment apparatus of claim 6, wherein a thickness of thesecond housing in a radial direction of the drum is greater than athickness of the first housing.
 8. The clothing treatment apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the balancer further comprises a fixing part protrudingfrom an outer surface of the first housing facing an innercircumferential surface of the drum and fixed to the innercircumferential surface of the drum, and wherein an outer surface of thesecond housing facing the circumferential surface of the tub ispositioned outside an outer surface of the first housing.
 9. Theclothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tub comprises: atub body extending in a cylindrical shape with a diameter greater than alength and able to be opened upward; a cover forming an upper surface ofthe tub; and an extension extending downward from an edge of the coverand coupled to an upper portion of the tub body.
 10. The clothingtreatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cabinet having anoutlet at a front; and a drawer provided to be withdrawn from thecabinet through the outlet and providing a space for accommodating thetub.